Defective Medical Device Attorneys in Ann Arbor and Birmingham
At Serling & Abramson, P.C., our Ann Arbor defective medical device attorneys and Birmingham defective drug lawyers monitor recalls of dangerous medical devices and prescription drugs that have caused cancer, personal injury, and other severe complications. If you or a loved one have suffered complications related to recalled medical products, our experienced legal team will promptly evaluate your case at no cost to determine your eligibility for financial compensation.
Our law firm represents clients across Michigan who have been harmed by defective medical devices, including birth control implants, hernia mesh, and contaminated medications. We understand the complex medical and legal issues involved in these cases and fight tirelessly to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
Bayer Essure Birth Control Device Recall
The Essure device recall represents one of the most significant medical device safety issues in recent years. Bayer announced they would stop selling and distributing the Essure device in the United States after December 31, 2018, due to declining sales attributed to serious safety concerns. This decline followed the FDA's decision to place a black box warning on the permanent implant in 2016, stating that some side effects may be serious and require surgery.
In April 2018, Bayer implemented the FDA's restriction on sales and distribution of Essure. This restriction required healthcare providers to supply an exhaustive checklist of risks to ensure women were fully informed of the side effects associated with the device. By the end of 2019, any unused Essure devices were required to be returned to Bayer by healthcare facilities. In 2020, Bayer announced they would pay out $1.6 billion in an attempt to end Essure litigation in the United States.
Understanding the Essure Birth Control Implant
Essure is a permanently implanted, non-surgical birth control device designed for female sterilization. During the implant procedure, a healthcare provider inserts flexible coils through the vagina and cervix into the fallopian tubes – the tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Over approximately three months, tissue gradually forms around the inserts, creating a barrier that prevents sperm from reaching eggs and thus preventing conception.
Essure was marketed as a permanent form of birth control and was not intended to be removed. The FDA advises that women still using Essure for birth control can continue using the device while communicating with their healthcare providers about any complications they may experience.
Essure Complications and Health Risks
Over several years, the FDA examined a growing number of adverse events associated with Essure use. Bayer has been mandated to continue postmarket studies of Essure since 2019. Essure complications have ranged from mild, temporary symptoms of pain or discomfort to chronic, persistent symptoms requiring medical intervention.
Reported adverse events include:
- Persistent headache or chronic pain
- Perforation of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes
- Intra-abdominal or pelvic device migration
- Abnormal or irregular bleeding
- Hair loss and depression
- Metal allergy or hypersensitivity reactions
- Autoimmune disorders
- Increased risk for uterine and other cancers
Despite its intended permanent use, many women have undergone surgical procedures for Essure coils removal after reporting chronic adverse side effects. In Wayne County and throughout Michigan, our birth control implant attorneys have represented women seeking compensation for these complications.
Essure failure and incomplete patient follow-up have resulted in unintended pregnancies, including life-threatening ectopic pregnancies. Approximately one in three women who have had the device surgically removed continue to experience troubling symptoms, making ongoing medical monitoring critical.
Hernia Mesh Complications and Lawsuits
Understanding Hernia Mesh Devices
An abdominal hernia occurs when intestines bulge through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Surgeons often use hernia mesh – a loosely woven sheet that provides permanent or temporary support for organs and tissues during surgery. This mesh can be created from both inorganic and biological materials and is used in various surgical procedures.
However, hernia mesh devices can cause serious side effects when they malfunction, leading to significant complications for patients.
Common Hernia Mesh Complications
Hernia mesh complications may include:
- Serious infections requiring antibiotic treatment
- Wound reopening and delayed healing
- Chronic pain leading to nerve damage or chronic inflammation
- Bowel obstruction requiring emergency surgery
- Adhesion to organs or surrounding tissues
- Migration of mesh to other parts of the body
- Fluid buildup and seroma formation
- Hernia recurrence despite surgical repair
Some adverse effects of hernia mesh may remain unnoticed for years, with symptoms gradually worsening over time. As pain increases without proper intervention, the risk for further damage becomes more pronounced. Some hernia mesh complications are so severe that they require multiple revision surgeries, causing additional pain, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Current Hernia Mesh Litigation Status
As of September 2021, over 20,600 hernia mesh revision surgery lawsuits have been filed across the United States. Many additional cases remain pending. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bellwether trials have been continually postponed, with only one trial resulting in a defense verdict to date.
If you or a loved one are suffering from hernia mesh complications requiring revision surgery, please contact our experienced device attorneys. You may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
View this informational video from our lawyers to learn more about hernia mesh litigation.
Defective Medical Drugs and Contamination Cases
Ducosate Drug Contamination Case
Our Birmingham defective drugs lawyers are currently representing families affected by contaminated medical products, including the case of Anderson Moreno, a baby infected with B. Cepacia from tainted Ducosate. While Anderson is making slow but hopeful progress in his recovery, his parents continue to struggle to ensure he receives every opportunity to lead as normal a life as possible.
We are working alongside Morgan & Morgan and The Weinberg Law Firm to represent Anderson's family in seeking justice and compensation for this preventable tragedy caused by pharmaceutical contamination.
Watch the inspiring story of Anderson Moreno and his family's fight for justice:
Contact Our Experienced Medical Device Attorneys
If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective medical device or contaminated drug, don't wait to seek legal help. Our Ann Arbor defective medical device lawyers and essure complications lawyers offer free case evaluations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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